Two Swedish-Americans returning home after living in the Deep South. Life, thoughts, travels, pictures and everything else that is good in life.

Monday, November 12, 2012

In between

We are in that inbetween period when fall is over but winter has not yet quite arrived. All those sparkling and bright fall colors are gone by now. November is one of those dark and grey months of the year. People are eagerly waiting for November to end and December to begin so that the festive spirit of Christmas with lights and decorations can be welcomed.

Now you can finally find pumpkins all over Stockholm. I love that they can be used both for decoration as well as for cooking. The pumpkin pie that my

friend Emma made Sunday was sooo good! I made a risotto Saturday and added diced pieces of pumpkin and some red onion that I had seared lightly in the pan until they both had softened before I added them. Made a very nice and colorful risotto.

I also made pumpkin soup the week just before I left for Switzerland. Love that amazing yellow color of the soup. My favorite pumpkin/squash is the Butternut squash. It has that mild but nutty flavor that works so well with almost everything.

Yesterday was one of those bright and sunny days. Even if the sun is up for just a few hours by now whenever it is out and shining I feel I have to make sure to go out even if it is just for a short while to soak some of it up. Sunday was one of those grey days when you feel that the sun barely comes up at all. Today looks nice as well. It has been a very cold and clear night. As I biked to work this morning the temperature was below freezing.I think everyone at these northern latitudes right now is growing more and more desperate for light of all kinds. I have done something that I have never done before...started putting up some Christmas decorations. As we don't have Thanksgiving here in Sweden November does not bring anything to look forward to as everything just grows darker outside.

I did not put up a lot just a few lights. I bought this ornament that I think looks very nice in my kitchen window.

I also put up the lights around the banister of the balcony. At least I am not the only one in the neighborhood that has done that. I see more and more of the outdoor lighting coming up. Well anyway I prefer Christmas decorations before Christmas compared to keeping them after Christmas. As soon as the holidays are over I want to take it all down. I am done with it all right after New Years day.

Hi I am Desiree

About Me

Hi and welcome to my blog. I am a Swedish-American born in Texas, grew up in Sweden. Moved and lived in Alabama 2006-2010. From the cotton fields of the Deep South back to the arctic winter of Sweden 2010-2012. Now I just moved and started my life among the Swiss alps. My road in life has taken many unexpected turns and given me many wonderful adventures. Switzerland and Basel being my new home currently. Here I share my Swiss experiences as an expat, my attempts of learning German, thoughts and everyday life. I love photography, travels, having fun at the gym, skiing, hiking, good food, good wine and good friends and everything else that makes life fun. I believe in making the most of each day and never turn a good opportunity down. E-mails or just a hi among the comments make me happy.

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